GROUND

IMPROVEMENT
TECHNIQUES

Need for Ground Improvement

1) Abandoning the site and locate the structure elsewhere.
2) Designing deep foundation to carry the weight of the
structure.
3) Redesigning the structure according to the ground conditions.

Improve the properties of the ground

prior to construction.

WHAT IS GROUND IMPROVEMENT?

Ground Improvement is the modification of the

ground properties in order to achieve the required
ground conditions for the particular use of ground.
The areas of usage include a broad construction
spectrum from industrial, commercial and housing
projects to construction of dams, tunnels, ports,
roadways and embankments. These techniques can
be used for varied types of soils ranging from
coarse grained to fine grained.

GROUND IMPROVEMENT
TECHNIQUES
Help

to reduce permeability
to reduce compressibility
to increase shear strength
to increase bearing capacity

Methods of soil improvement

Vibro-Compaction
Grouting
Vertical Drain
Dynamic Compaction
Stabilisation using Admixtures

VIBRO COMPACTION
Vibro compaction densifies clean, cohesion less granular soils by
means of a down hole vibrator which is typically suspended from a
crane and lowered vertically into the soil under its own weight.
Penetration is usually aided by water jets integrated into the
vibrator assembly. After reaching the bottom of the treatment
zone, the soils are densified in lifts as t he probe is extracted.

During vibro compaction , clean sand backfill is typically added at

the ground surface to compensate for the reduction in soil volume
resulting from the densification process.

The vibratory energy reduces the inter-granular forces between the

soil particles, allowing them to move into a denser configuration,
typically achieving a relative density of 70 t o 85 percent . The
treated soils have increased density, friction angle and stiffness.

GROUTING
Defined as the injection of a special liquid or
slurry material called grout into the ground for
the purpose of improving the soil or rock.
Types of grouts:
a) Cement Grouts
b) Chemical Grouts

Grouting Methods
Intrusion grouting
Consists of filling joints or fractures with
grout.
Helps in reduction of hydraulic
conductivity.
Used to prepare foundation and
abutments for dams.
Done using cement grouts.

Permeation grouting
Injection of thin grouts into the soil.
Once the soil cures, becomes a solid
mass.
Done using chemical grouts.
Used for creating groundwater barriers
or preparing ground before tunneling.

Grouting Methods
Compaction grouting
When low-slump compaction grout is
injected into granular soils, grout bulbs
are formed that displace and densify the
surrounding loose soils.
Used to repair structures that have
excessive settlement

Jet grouting
Uses a special pipe with horizontal jets
that inject grout into the ground at high
pressures.
Commonly used for ground water control
projects.
Suitable for stabilizing soils before
excavation or tunneling.

DYNAMIC COMPACTION

Uses a special crane to lift 2-50

tons to heights of 7m-35m and then
drop these weights onto the
ground.

Cost effective method of densifying

loose sands and silty soils up to 15
to 30 feet deep.

Good densification occurs up to a

depth of 5m-10m.

VERTICAL DRAINS
Vertical drains are installed
under a surcharge load to
accelerate the drainage of
impervious soils and thus speed
up consolidation.
These drains provide a shorter
path for the water to flow
through to get away from the
soil.
Time to drain clay layers can be
reduced from years to a couple
of months.

 Consolidation takes place in only

one direction .
Vertical drainage path may be
substantially longer.
It may take more than 10 years to
consolidate.

Pore water will flow laterally.

Pore water pressure dissipates as
the layer drains and water is
conveyed through vertical drains.
It takes only about 6 months to
consolidate.

INSTALLATION

ADVANTAGES OF VERTICAL
DRAINS
Minimum disturbance to soil layer during
installation.
High water discharge capacity.
High tensile strength prevents the collapse
of flow path.
Fast and easy installation up to 40 m.

Stabilization Using Admixtures

Most common admixture is Portland Cement.
When mixed with soil, forms soil-cement which is comparable to a
weak concrete.
Other admixtures include lime and asphalt.
Objective is to provide artificial cementation, thus increasing strength
and reducing both compressibility and hydraulic conductivity.
Used to reduce expansion potential of clays.
Used in surface mixing applications.

CONCLUSION
Ground improvement is a rapidly developing field as suitable
sites for construction are not available these days.
Its applicability has been proven in the recent past for a wide
range of structures such as roads, runways, ports,
power plants, railways, dams & other infrastructure facilities
.
These techniques have been used all over the world for a
wide range of soils starting from loose sands, silts,
marine clays to weak rocks.
Based on the soil conditions, loading intensity and
intended performance, an appropriate ground improvement
technique can be designed to attain the desired performance.

THANK YOU